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Listen To Your News		Friday, June 11, 2010		News Archive

HORRENDOUS CRASH OF 8 BIG RIGS ON I-40 EAST OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
A horrendous crash to our east yesterday. Three separate crashes involving eight tractor-trailers killed two drivers and injured at least two others Thursday on the 40 Freeway, forcing the closure of eastbound lanes for hours. The collisions began at 1:20 a.m. when a semi truck overturned on I- 40 about 30 miles west of Needles. The driver suffered a broken arm. His semi blocked the freeway, stopping traffic in near pitch-black conditions. In chain reaction, four more tractor trailers were traveling on the freeway and couldn't stop, crashing about a mile west of the overturned semi at 2:35 a.m., one of them caught on fire and completely burned, that crash killed one of the four drivers. The backup triggered another crash at 3:50 a.m., a mile west of the second crash involving three more tractor-trailers. Firefighters had to rescue a driver who became trapped in the cab of his truck and subsequently died. Another driver suffered minor injuries. The California Highway Patrol shut down the eastbound 40, making semi trucks turn around and head west away from the crash. They detoured cars off the freeway at Essex Road around the collisions. Seventeen County firefighters spread out between the three crashes to help the injured drivers.

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TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY LOOKS TO BAN ALL MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The Town of Yucca Valley is looking at shutting down their existing medical marijuana dispensary, and then ban any more. Managing Editor Karl Gardner has details...
The Town of Yucca Valley is looking to ban all medical marijuana dispensaries. At a public hearing set for June 15, Town Staff will ask the Council to approve an ordinance that will permanently prohibit the establishment or use of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the Town. A moratorium on any new medical marijuana dispensaries has been in place since 2008. That moratorium was extended, and is due to expire in November. According to town documents, an existing conflict between state and federal law keeps licensed pharmacies from carrying or selling medical marijuana. Due to a quirk in the law, medical marijuana cooperatives have been set up, without, town documents say, state oversight or regulatory enforcement. Town officials say some local agencies have reported negative impacts from having medical marijuana dispensaries, including an increase in illegal drug sales, robbery and loitering around clinics. Yucca Valley has one operating medical marijuana dispensary located in the Monterey Business Center, who have said in the past, they will fight efforts by the town to halt operations.

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WARREN VISTA TO BE CLOSED AT THE HIGHWAY FOR CONSTRUCTION
The Town of Yucca Valley will be closing Warren Vista Avenue between Twentynine Palms Highway and Yucca Trail due to utility and storm drain installation at the Warren Vista Shopping Center. The closure is scheduled to begin on Monday. Warren Vista will be closed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily until this portion of construction is complete. Southbound traffic, turning onto Warren Vista from Highway 62 will also be affected. The west entrance to the Town Center Mall will be closed, Patrons can still access businesses within the complex from Highway 62. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and use caution when driving near the construction zone. The inconvenience will be limited to the week of June 14 through June 18.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS TEEN ARRESTED FOR STARTING FIRE
A Twentynine Palms teenager was arrested for setting several small bush fires. Sheriffs’ reports say Wednesday evening just after 7, a call came in that a young boy had just started small fire near a utility pole on Sahara Avenue at Indianola Drive. The caller said they witnessed the teen running away from a small bush fire. Responding deputies contacted a 13-year-old boy, who admitted to setting the fire, along with several other small fires in the neighborhood. The juvenile, who was not identified due to his age, taken into custody for investigation of arson and booked into juvenile hall.

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YUCCA VALLEY MAN ARRESTED ON WEAPONS CHARGE
A Yucca Valley man is behind bars for carrying a large knife. Sheriffs’ officials said Wednesday night about 10:40, Randel Cramm, 22, was seen walking west along Barron Drive in Yucca Valley, with a large black handle sticking out the small of his back. Sheriffs’ Deputy Tony Romaro stopped Cramm after he dropped the knife on the ground. Cramm said he was carrying a knife with him for "Security Reasons". Randel Cramm was taken into custody and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail for investigation of possessing a dangerous weapon, and held on $25,000 bail.

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NEW EXHIBIT "QUEST FOR FIRE" OPENS SATURDAY AT HI-DESERT NATURE MUSEUM
The Hi-Desert Nature Museum will open a new exhibit tomorrow. Reporter Derwood Andrews has details on "The Quest for Fire" exhibit...
‘Have you got a light Mac, no but I’ve got a dark brown overcoat’ is one of many quips concerning asking for a light and the quest for fire. There is a fascinating free exhibit at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum from June 12 through August 13 called ‘Quest for fire: History of Fire-making tools’. Curated by Tom O’Key, who’s 35-year collection of lighters and many ancient methods of fire making by mankind, are represented and documented. How many of us alive today can say they’ve started a fire with a couple of sticks and some twine? Exactly. So go and check out how important this ‘simple’ skill has been to our cultural growth and how easy our ancestors made it for us. The Museum is located at the Yucca Valley Community Center at 57116 Twentynine Palms Highway, open every day except Mondays, from 10 to 5, call 760-369-7212 or visit hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information.

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LATINO POPULATION ON THE RISE IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Our regions Latino population continued to inch toward a majority in according to estimates released Thursday. For the first time in recent history, San Bernardino County has a slightly higher proportion of Hispanics than Los Angeles County, and the seventh highest number of Latinos of any U.S. county, according to the Census Bureau. The population estimates are based primarily on 2000 census data that was updated with birth, death, tax and other official records. In 2009, 48.1 percent of San Bernardino County's population was Latino.

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ROAD TO AMBOY CRATER CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION
The only road to the Amboy National Natural Landmark Recreation Area will be closed from Saturday to about June 27 for paving. Would-be visitors needn't worry about missing something, the last eruption was about 10,000 years ago, and the crater is either dead or dormant, according to experts. Until now, visitors bump and scraped over an un-maintained, rough gravel road. During construction, visitation to the Amboy Crater will be limited to foot traffic, the part being paved is about a mile and a half long and extends from old Route 66. A foot trail extends from a parking area to the crater itself. Temperatures will soar above 100 during the closure, the hike to the crater and back will amount to a 6-mile round-trip. Anyone considering the hike should prepare themselves with plenty of water and skin protection. The Amboy crater area was designated a national natural landmark in 1973. For further information, contact BLM's Needles Field Office at 760-326-7000.

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THEATER 29 NAMES CAST FOR "THE PAJAMA GAME"
Theater 29 has announced the cast for the upcoming summer blockbuster, the classic 1950’s Broadway musical "The Pajama Game". Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells who will be on the community theater stage starting July 2...
Theatre 29 announces the cast of ‘The Pajama Game.’ a humorous musical about a pajama factory romance nearly done in by a dispute over 7 and a half cents. Directors Gary Daigneault and Ed Will cast Courtney McElrath of Palm Desert as female lead. Opposite McElrath as factory super is Cody Joseph, the daytime voice of Z107.7 Radio. Other principal parts went to local teacher Ron Bryant, recent transplant Kent Eckhart, and deliciously funny Cindy Daigneault. Returning to Theatre 29 as Pops is morning radio personality Les Taylor. The role of skirt chasing shop steward went to James Hodgson. While Cathy Inscore will play the gender bending part of Max. Sabrina Olson landed the part of bombshell secretary. Ladies garment worker roles went to Lisa Goldberg of Palm Desert, Arwen Jordan-Zimmerman of Joshua Tree, and Adrienne Guerrero of Yucca Valley. Other factory worker roles went to Aaron Fagan, of Poughkeepsie, New York, also Judy Andreshak, Candice Hescock, Summer Mark, Robin Wanless, Kim Weider and Cyrus Short all of Twentynine Palms; and Brad Holt of Landers plays Charlie. The Pajama Game opens July 2.

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BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB SUMMER PROGRAM STARTS JUNE 21
The Boys & Girls Club of the Hi Desert will start their summer programs June 21. The club will be closed from Friday June 11, through June 20 to get ready for the summer program. For kids 6-11 there will be daily activities with breakfast and lunch included in the weekly tuition price of only $40.00, or $10.00 per day. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and "Early Bird" hours are available by sign up only from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for an extra $5.00 per day. Teens from 7th to 12th grade can drop in the teen center between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Daily drop in rates are $3.00 or $15.00 per week. For those wanting to come to full sessions, it is $40.00 per each 4-week session. Call the Club at 760-365-KIDS (5437) to sign up now! Space is limited. The club is at 56525 Little League Drive, at Palm Avenue in Yucca Valley.

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SUMMER READING PROGRAM STARTS AT YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY
The Summer Reading Program at Yucca Valley Library continues with sign ups for all ages. Programming begins with Summer Sing and Sign on Monday, June 14 from 3:00 to 4:00. All ages are invited to learn to sign while singing fun songs. Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m. Summertime Storytime begins. The first Young Adult program, "Pin Painting" will be taught by Nancy McHenry on Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. Thursday, 1:00 everyone is invited to sing Happy Birthday to baby piglet Janét. Janét will be one year old and it’s time to celebrate with a piggy party. Janét will be treated to a piggy birthday cupcake while attendees enjoy a birthday Cheerio. Lots of games, crafts and fun. Earn an extra ticket for the prize drawing by attending any of the summer programs wearing the "magic button". For more information, contact Thyra at 760-228-5455.

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AMERICAN LEGION POTLUCK MONDAY AT EAGLES AERIE
American Legion Post 761, would like to invite members and eligible veterans to their next meeting. It will be held Monday with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting following directly after at the Twentynine Palms eagles Aerie at 67330 29 Palms Hwy. The meeting will give you a chance to meet with fellow veterans, find out information that pertains to veterans and what is going on in your local community.

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